EU Project

We work in partnership with Wandsworth Borough Council to offer information and advice about Brexit and the rights of EU citizens in the UK. We help Wandsworth residents to secure their rights to live in the UK by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme and manage their settled and pre-settled status.

Maria and Tony, who are originally from Portugal, received help from us and shared their experience of using our service in this video.

The EU Settlement Scheme deadline has now passed. However, eligible European citizens and their family members can still apply. Detailed information on eligibility, the rights the two statuses give, and how to manage your status once granted can be found in our leaflet here.

If you have already been granted Pre-Settled or Settled Status, please remember to update your UK Visas and Immigration account if there are any changes to your contact details such as email address and phone number, or if you get a new identity document.

Public authorities such as Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and NHS are able to automatically access your immigration status information. However, we advise benefits claimants to check their online profile/journal in case they need to provide any additional information.

What you need to know

The deadline for most people to apply for pre-settled or settled status from the EU Settlement Scheme and secure their rights in the UK after Brexit was 30 June 2021. Although the application deadline has passed, we urge everyone to check if they need to apply and submit an application as soon as possible. More information for late applicants is available on Gov.uk.

If you started living in the UK before 31 December 2020 and you or someone in your family is an EU citizen, you should apply to the EU Settlement Scheme, even if you:

• were born in the UK but are not a British citizen
• are a child
• have a permanent residence document
• are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen with a British citizen family member
• have an EU/EEA Residence document.

You don’t need to apply if you have:

• indefinite leave to remain in the UK
• British or Irish citizenship.

You can only apply to the scheme after the deadline if you:

• have a good reason for making a late application – check if you can make a late application
• are upgrading from pre-settled to settled status
• are applying to join a family member in the UK – find out more about joining family
• have a valid work, study or family visa.

There is a new point based immigration system that applies to anyone moving to the UK after 1 January 2021.

Applying for settled status

You can apply by downloading the ‘EU Exit: ID Document Check’ app on your phone. To use the app you need a biometric identity document and either an Android phone or an iPhone 7 or above. You can also apply online and send in your identity documents by post if you don’t have biometric ID or a phone that can run the app, or if your biometric passport or ID card expired.

If you do not have any identity documents, you can apply via a paper application form that can be downloaded from here and sent by post or email.

To be eligible for settled status you usually need to have lived in the UK for at least 6 months in any 12 month period for 5 years in a row. You need to prove this when you apply but you can do this by giving your National Insurance number, which allows for an automated check of your residence based on tax and benefit records. If this check is successful you won’t need to provide any documents.

If you’ve not lived here for 5 years in a row you may still be eligible for pre-settled status, which gives you fewer rights but can be upgraded to settled status at a later date.

Information about settled status

GOV.UK has detailed guidance about settled status (also available in EU languages) and this guidance about viewing and proving your status to employers, landlords, or any other instance where a confirmation of your immigration status is required. If you have not yet received a decision, the certificate of application that you received after you made a valid application to the EU Settlement Scheme before 30 June 2021 can be accessed online via the ‘view and prove your immigration status‘ service. 

Citizens Advice has also published useful information about staying in the UK after Brexit.

You can sign up to our mailing list for updates and the Home Office also has a mailing list for updates about Brexit and the status of EU citizens in the UK.

Get help scanning your documents

We Are Digital can help you scan your passport or ID card. This is a free service funded by the Home Office. You can contact We Are Digital on 03333 445 675 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) or at visa@we-are-digital.co.uk.

Get help applying for settled status

If you or someone you know can’t apply without assistance the Home Office has funded a national network of 72 charities and voluntary organisations to help. In Wandsworth this service is provided by us in partnership with South West London Law Centres.

Get help from us

We can help you:

• understand your options for securing your rights in the UK
• apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (settled and pre-settled status)
• resolve other issues relating to being an EU national.

We may be able to offer you an appointment in our offices after an initial telephone assessment. However, demand for our services are high and it may take us longer than 10 working days to get back to you. Please consider calling the EU Resolution Centre on 0300 123 7379 first and then contact us if you still need help. You can do this by contacting our Core Service.